VCM / Via Christus Academy

Via Christus Academy seeks to provide biblical education to equip and prepare national workers for ministry.  Christian educators (theologians, professors, pastors) are invited to conduct the courses, which occur twice a year. The Fall Academy for 2017 was held during the first week of October.  Provided with support from various sources to cover all expenses, participants are able to attend the conference free of charge. Fourteen pastors and pastors-in-training, and other ministry leaders from across our country were privileged to participate in a week-long course led by Dr. John Tweeddale, academic dean and professor of theology at Reformation Bible College. Before joining RBC, Dr. Tweeddale previously served as senior pastor of First Reformed Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Pittsburgh for five and a half years and also taught courses in church history and systematic theology as an adjunct professor at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh.  Using his pastoral experience and stellar academic skills, he led a study on Pastoral Theology.  Using solid reformed resources such as the Westminster Confession of Faith, “Concise Theology” by J.I. Packer, the 1560 Scotts Confession, and numerous scriptural passages; Dr. Tweeddale defined the church and identified the role and service of the pastor.  Participants enthusiastically brought forth situations from their own churches and questions into discussions with Dr. Tweeddale both during and outside of the lecture time.

Formal instruction was limited to four hours per day with the remaining time spend in fellowship and devotional studies.  At the conclusion of the conference, attendees joined 80 members of the staff of Ligonier Ministries on a Skype call during one of their morning meetings.  Upon departing, many expressed their thanks to Dr. Tweeddale, stating “This was the best Academy held so far”.